Fuel tip with integrated flashback arrestor

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are flashback arrestors disposed proximate the head of a cutting torch for restricting flashback into the torch head. In one approach, a torch assembly is provided including a torch head having a gas passageway formed within a body of the torch head, and a tip coupled to a distal end of the torch head. In some approaches, the tip has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tip including an exit orifice and the proximal end of the tip having a set of openings in fluid communication with the gas passageway for delivering a gas towards the exit orifice. The torch assembly further includes a filter coupled to the tip at the proximal end thereof, the filter disposed between the set of openings and the gas passageway for restricting flashback into the torch head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/US2016/044476, filed on Jul. 28, 2016, the entire contents of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to cutting, welding, and heating devicesand, more particularly, to cutting torches with flashback arrestors.

Discussion of Related Art

Fuel cutting, welding, or heating devices discharge fuel gas and oxygenfrom a nozzle for cutting, welding, or heating purposes. A typical torchincludes a control body for connecting to separate fuel gas and oxygensupplies, tubes for supplying the oxygen and fuel gas from the controlbody to a head, and a cutting tip mounted to the head. The cutting tipreceives the fuel gas and oxygen from the head and discharges thesegases from its nozzle. More specifically, the head includes an interiorsurface extending around and defining a head cavity, an oxygen port thatis open to the head cavity for supplying oxygen to the head cavity, anda fuel gas port that is open to the head cavity for supplying fuel gasto the head cavity. The cutting tip includes multiple passageways fordirecting the gases from the head to the nozzle.

In one previous approach, a conventional cutting torch first generates apreheat flame with gases discharged from the nozzle, and the preheatflame is used to heat a metal workpiece. After the preheat flame hasheated the workpiece sufficiently, a high velocity cutting oxygen streamis activated and delivered through the nozzle. The high velocity cuttingoxygen stream physically removes molten material of the workpiece byoxidation, to cut the workpiece. Typically, a number of valves andrelated components are provided upstream of the nozzle, such as in thecontrol body, to control the operations of the cutting torch.

Flashback is a reaction caused in cutting torches by the reverse flowand ignition of the explosive mixture of gases used in the operation ofthe torch. Flashback typically originates at the nozzle of the torch andis often caused by an obstruction at this point, operator error,improper gas pressure and/or defective equipment. Due to the rapid andexplosive nature of flashback, it poses a major safety hazard to theoperator of the gas torch and can damage the gas torch and associatedequipment.

Previous approaches for addressing flashback include the use of asintered material within the torch to be used at the entry point of thegases into the torch. Although this stops the flashback from travelingupstream from the components that supply the gas to the torch, itdisadvantageously does not eliminate the effects of flashback within thetorch itself. As a result, the torch can still be damaged or theoperator can be injured by flashback within the torch.

In another previous approach, packing material may be installed into thehead of a torch or in a tube that is immediately upstream from the headfor arresting flashback. However, this packing material may becomedamaged, such as by becoming clogged with carbon deposits resulting fromflashback. As a result, the packing material must be periodicallyreplaced. Disadvantageously, the removal and replacement of packingmaterial in cutting torches is labor intensive. Additionally, and ofsignificant safety importance, if the packing material is not properlypacked it may not perform its intended function, which can result indamage to the torch or injury to its operator.

In yet another previous approach, a check valve may be installed in eachof the oxygen and fuel passageways to allow the oxygen and the fuel toflow in one direction, while preventing the reverse flow. Check valves,however, are mechanical devices that may become unreliable whencontaminated with dirt or debris, which can cause the check valve toleak. Moreover, the check valves cannot prevent flashback flame frompropagating upstream once flashback occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a flashbackarrestor downstream of the head of a cutting torch for restrictingflashback into the torch head, and which can be readily used andreplaced in a manner that is likely to ensure satisfactory functionalityof the flashback arrestor. Exemplary approaches herein provide flashbackarrestors disposed proximate the head of a cutting torch for restrictingflashback into the torch head. In one approach, a torch assembly isprovided including a torch head having a gas passageway formed within abody of the torch head, and a tip coupled to a distal end of the torchhead. In some approaches, the tip has a proximal end and a distal end,the distal end of the tip including an exit orifice and the proximal endof the tip having a set of openings in fluid communication with the gaspassageway for delivering a gas towards the exit orifice. The torchassembly further includes a filter coupled to the tip at the proximalend thereof, the filter disposed between the set of openings and the gaspassageway for restricting flashback into the torch head.

One approach according to the disclosure includes a torch assemblyhaving a torch head including a gas passageway formed within a body ofthe torch head, and a tip coupled to a distal end of the torch head. Thetip has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tipincluding an exit orifice and the proximal end of the tip having a setof openings in fluid communication with the gas passageway fordelivering a gas towards the exit orifice. The torch assembly furtherincludes a filter coupled to the tip at the proximal end, the filterdisposed between the set of openings and the gas passageway.

Another approach according to the disclosure includes a flashbackarrestor for a torch, the flashback arrestor including a torch headincluding a gas passageway and an oxygen passageway formed within a bodyof the torch head. The flashback arrestor further includes a tip coupledto a distal end of the torch head, wherein the tip has a proximal endand a distal end, the distal end of the tip including an exit orificeand the proximal end of the tip including a set of openings formedthrough a flange. The set of openings may be in fluid communication withthe gas passageway for delivering a gas towards the exit orifice. Theflashback arrestor further includes a filter coupled to the flange anddisposed between the set of openings and the gas passageway.

Yet another approach according to the disclosure includes a devicehaving a torch head including a body, a gas passageway formed throughthe body, and a tip coupled to a distal end of the torch head. The tiphas a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tip includingan exit orifice and the proximal end of the tip including a set ofopenings formed through a flange, wherein the set of openings are influid communication with the gas passageway for delivering a gas to theexit orifice. The oxy-fuel device further includes a filter coupled tothe flange and disposed between the set of openings and the gaspassageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary approaches of thedisclosure, including the practical application of the principlesthereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a device according to exemplaryapproaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the device of FIG. 1 according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 accordingto exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of tip adaptor of the device of FIG. 1according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a side cutaway view of the tip adaptor of FIG. 4A accordingto exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a top view of the tip adaptor of FIG. 4A according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 5A is an exploded isometric view of the tip of the device of FIG. 1according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 5B is an isometric view of an internal component of the tip of FIG.5A according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a side cutaway view of the tip adaptor of FIG. 5A accordingto exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of another tip for use with the device ofFIG. 1 according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an isometric view of the tip of FIG. 6A according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 6C is a side cutaway view of the tip of FIG. 6A according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of another tip for use with the device ofFIG. 1 according to exemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 7B is an isometric view of the tip of FIG. 7A according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 7C is a side cutaway view of the tip of FIG. 7A according toexemplary approaches of the disclosure;

FIG. 8A shows an exploded perspective view of an apparatus that preventsthe device from being used without a filter installed to exemplaryapproaches of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8B shows a side cutaway view of the apparatus of FIG. 8A accordingto exemplary approaches of the disclosure.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of thedisclosure. Furthermore, the drawings are intended to depict exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure, and therefore is not considered aslimiting in scope.

Furthermore, certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, orillustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectionalviews may be in the form of “slices”, or “near-sighted” cross-sectionalviews, omitting certain background lines otherwise visible in a “true”cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity. Furthermore, forclarity, some reference numbers may be omitted in certain drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure will now proceed with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which various approaches are shown. It will beappreciated, however, that the disclosed torch handle may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theapproaches set forth herein. Rather, these approaches are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular andproceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as notexcluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion isexplicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one approach” of thepresent disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional approaches that also incorporate the recitedfeatures.

Furthermore, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “central,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used hereinfor ease of describing one element's relationship to another element(s)as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatiallyrelative terms may encompass different orientations of the device in useor operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

As stated above, exemplary approaches herein provide flashback arrestorsdisposed proximate the head of a cutting torch for restricting flashbackinto the torch head. In one approach, a torch assembly is providedincluding a torch head having a gas passageway formed within a body ofthe torch head, and a tip coupled to a distal end of the torch head. Insome approaches, the tip has a proximal end and a distal end, the distalend of the tip including an exit orifice and the proximal end of the tiphaving a set of openings in fluid communication with the gas passagewayfor delivering a gas towards the exit orifice. The torch assemblyfurther includes a filter coupled to the tip at the proximal endthereof, the filter disposed between the set of openings and the gaspassageway for restricting flashback into the torch head.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an oxygen-fuel or air-fuel device, such as atorch, will be described in greater detail according to exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure. As shown, an oxygen-fuel device 10(hereinafter “device”) includes a torch head 12 having a body 14 forreceiving a cutting oxygen and a mixed oxygen-fuel gas via respectiveinlets 16 and 18 formed in the body 14. The torch head 12 furtherincludes exterior threads 20 that engage a first tip fastener 24, suchas a nut, for securing a tip 30 to a distal end 32 of the torch head 12.The torch head 12 further includes an oxygen passageway 34 for receivingthe cutting oxygen, and a gas passageway 36 for receiving the mixedoxy-fuel gas. In accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the mixed oxy-fuel gas includes a combination of oxygen anda gaseous fuel, such as acetylene, or the like. However, it will beappreciated that the present disclosure is also applicable to“post-mixed” cutting torches.

The cutting oxygen and the mixed oxy-fuel gas illustrated in FIGS. 1-2are representative of gas supplies and cutting torch components that areupstream from a proximal end 35 of the torch head 12. In one example,the cutting oxygen and the mixed oxy-fuel gas illustrated in FIGS. 1-2are representative of a control body connected to separate fuel gas andoxygen supplies, and tubes for supplying the oxygen and fuel gas fromthe control body to the torch head 12, with the control body includingvalves and related components for controlling the operations of thedevice 10.

In the embodiment shown, the device 10 further includes a tip adaptor 40secured within the torch head 12, coaxially with the oxygen passageway34, so as to couple the tip 30 to the torch head 12. Specifically, thetip adaptor 40 has a proximal end 42 secured within a bore of the torchhead 12, and a distal end 44 secured to the tip 30 by a second fastener46, such as a nut. The tip adaptor 40 may include a set of threads 48disposed along an exterior surface 50 thereof for engagement with thesecond fastener 46, and a central ring 47 of a flange 49 for engagementwith an inner seating surface 51 (FIG. 1) of the first tip fastener 24.

The tip adaptor 40 further includes a plurality of internal fluidpassageways extending between the proximal end 42 and the distal end 44thereof. More specifically, the tip adaptor 40 includes an innerpassageway 54 extending from the proximal end 42 to the distal end 44,the inner passageway 54 aligned with the oxygen passageway 34 fortransporting the cutting oxygen to the tip 30. As shown, the tip adaptor40 further includes a plurality of outer passageways 56 surrounding theinner passageway 54, the plurality of outer passageways 56 extendingfrom an upper surface 57 (FIG. 4) of a flange 58 to the distal end 44.The plurality of outer passageways 56 are configured to transport themixed oxy-fuel gas to the tip 30.

In one embodiment, the device 10 includes an annular gas ring 60 coupledbetween the tip adaptor 40 and the torch head 12 for transporting themixed oxy-fuel gas to the tip adaptor 40. As shown, the annular gas ring60 including a central opening 62 aligned with the oxygen passageway 34and one or more conduits 63 extending into the gas passageway 36 forreceiving the mixed oxy-fuel gas. As a result, the oxy-fuel gaspassageway 36 is in fluid communication with the plurality of outerpassageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40. Additionally, the annular gas ring60 may include a set of threads 66 for engaging the body 14 of the torchhead 12.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 5A-C, the tip 30 of the device 10 will bedescribed in greater detail. In this embodiment, the tip 30 is coupledto the distal end 32 of the torch head 12 via the tip adaptor 40. Thetip 30 has a proximal end 70 and a distal end 72, the distal end 72including an exit orifice 74. The tip 30 may include a shell 75surrounding an interior component 76. As shown, the shell 75 includes anupper rim 77 for engaging a flange 80 of the interior component 76 andan inner seating surface 73 (FIG. 2) of the second tip fastener 46. Aplurality of compression members 79 are disposed at a distal end 81 ofthe interior component 76, proximate the exit orifice 74 of the tip 30.The plurality of compression members 79 extend circumferentially aroundthe distal end 81 of the interior component 76, and are configured tocompress towards a central passageway 78 of the tip 30 as the interiorcomponent 76 enters the internal bore of the shell 75.

The central passageway 78 of the tip 30 is generally aligned with and influid communication with the oxygen passageway 34 of the torch head 12via the inner passageway 54 of the tip adaptor 40. Additionally, theflange 80 includes a set of openings 82 formed therein, the set ofopenings 82 aligned with and in fluid communication with the oxy-fuelgas passageway 36 via the outer passageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40. Insome embodiments, the central passageway 78 includes an additionalfilter 83 (FIG. 5C) disposed therein. The filter 83 may advantageouslysmooth the flow of the cutting oxygen before it reaches the exit orifice74.

As best demonstrated in FIG. 5C, the set of openings 82 are configuredto communicate the oxy-fuel gas within the shell 75, along an exteriorsurface 84 of the interior component 76, towards the exit orifice 74. Insome embodiments, the tip 30 includes a filter 85 coupled at theproximal end 70 thereof, between the set of openings 82 and the gaspassageway 38 of the torch head 12. The filter 85 may be a sinteredbushing disposed within a channel 88 (FIG. 5B) of the flange 80 of thetip 30. In some embodiments, the filter 85 is an annularly shaped porouselement having a plurality of convolute passageways (not shown) thatmake gas travel difficult. In one non-limiting approach, the porousstructure of the filter 85 may be sintered bronze or sintered stainlesssteel, with a pore size of about ten microns. The pore size is anapproximate measure of a representative pore in a directionperpendicular to the flow therethrough. It will be appreciated that thepreferred pore size and the number of pores may vary, depending uponmany factors associated with the manufacture and operation of the device10. Further, in accordance with alternative embodiments, the porousstructure can be any type of material for allowing the cutting torch tooperate in a normal fashion, while also performing a flashbackrestricting function.

When the device 10 is in use, the filter 85 extinguishes a flame and/orprevents a flashback from entering the torch head 12 via the outerpassageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40. Should a flashback occur, it willonly travel so far as the filter 85, which is positioned above the setof openings 82, thus improving safety for an operator of the device 10.Furthermore, by placing the filter 85 within the channel 88 of the tip30, the filter 85 and the tip 30 may be easily replaced simultaneously.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 6A-C, an additional embodiment of a tip foruse with the device 10 will be described in greater detail. Similar tothe tip 30 shown in FIGS. 1-5, the tip 90 shown in FIGS. 6A-C may becoupled to the distal end 32 of the torch head 12 via the tip adaptor 40and the second fastener 46. The tip 90 has a proximal end 91 and adistal end 92, the distal end 92 including an exit orifice 94 formedtherein. A central passageway 95 of the tip 90 is generally aligned withand in fluid communication with the oxygen passageway 34 of the torchhead 12 via the inner passageway 54 of the tip adaptor 40. In someembodiments, the central passageway 95 includes an additional filter 96(FIG. 6C) disposed therein. The filter 96 may advantageously smooth theflow of the cutting oxygen before it reaches the exit orifice 94.

The tip 90 further includes a flange 100 at the proximal end 91, theflange 100 including a channel 102 or recess for receiving the filter 85therein. As shown, the flange 100 includes a set of openings 106 formedtherein, wherein the set of openings 106 are aligned with and in fluidcommunication with the oxy-fuel gas passageway 36 via the outerpassageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40. As demonstrated, the set ofopenings 106 extend from the proximal end 91 to the distal end 92 of thetip 90, and are configured to communicate the mixed oxy-fuel gas towardsthe exit orifice 94.

In this embodiment, the tip 90 includes filter 85 disposed at theproximal end 91 thereof, between the set of openings 106 and the gaspassageway 38 of the torch head 12. The filter 85 may be a sinteredbushing disposed within the channel 102 of the flange 100. As describedabove, when the device 10 is in use, the filter 85 extinguishes a flameand/or prevents a flashback from entering the torch head 12 via theouter passageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40. Furthermore, by placing thefilter 85 within the channel 102 of the tip 90, the filter 85 and thetip 90 may be easily replaced at the same time.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 7A-C, an additional embodiment of a tip foruse with the device 10 will be described in greater detail. Similar tothe tips described above, the tip 110 shown in FIGS. 7A-C may be coupledto the distal end 32 of the torch head 12, for example, via the firsttip fastener 24. In this embodiment, the tip 110 is a unitary designtaking the place of, for example, the tip adaptor 40 and the tip 30shown in FIGS. 1-6. The tip 110 has a proximal end 112 and a distal end114, the distal end 114 including an exit orifice 116. The tip 110 issecured within the torch head 12, coaxially with the oxygen passageway34. Specifically, the tip 110 may include a flange 120 for engagementwith the inner seating surface 51 of the first tip fastener 24.

The tip 110 further includes a plurality of internal fluid passagewaysextending between the proximal end 112 and the distal end 114 thereof.More specifically, the tip 110 includes a central passageway 122extending from the proximal end 112 to the distal end 114, the centralpassageway 122 configured to transport the cutting oxygen to the exitorifice 116 for engagement with a cutting surface (not shown). In someembodiments, the central passageway 122 includes an additional filter123 (FIG. 7C) disposed therein. The filter 123 may advantageously smooththe flow of the cutting oxygen before it reaches the exit orifice 116.As shown, the tip 110 further includes a plurality of outer passageways126 surrounding the central passageway 122, the plurality of outerpassageways 126 extending from an upper surface 130 of the flange 120.The plurality of outer passageways 126 are configured to transport themixed oxy-fuel gas to the exit orifice 116 for engagement with thecutting surface.

In this embodiment, the tip 110 includes a filter 135 coupled to theupper surface 130 of the flange 120. As arranged, the filter 135 ispositioned between the plurality of outer passageways 126 and the gaspassageway 38 of the torch head 12. The filter 135 may be a sinteredbushing. As described above, when the device 10 is in use, the filter135 extinguishes a flame and/or prevents a flashback from entering thetorch head 12. Furthermore, by coupling the filter 135 to the tip 110,the filter 135 and the tip 110 may be easily replaced at the same time.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the operation of the device 10 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.Oxygen and fuel are supplied to the torch head 12 while the cutting tip30 is fully mounted thereto. As a result, oxygen flows through theoxygen passageway 34, and fuel flows through each of the upstream fuelor gas passageways 36, the outer passageways 56 of the tip adaptor 40,the filter 85, and then the set of openings 82 of the interior component76. Described more generally, the filter 85 is positioned outside of thebody 14 of the torch head 12, between the fuel or gas passageway 36 andthe exit orifice 74 of the tip 30. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.2, the device 10 includes an additional filter 71 disposed within thecutting oxygen passageway 34 of the torch head 12. The additional filter71 may advantageously smooth the flow of the cutting oxygen before itreaches the tip adaptor 40.

The fuel is then discharged from the tip 30 and ignited to form apreheat flame that is used to heat a metal workpiece. After the preheatflame has heated the workpiece sufficiently, a high velocity cuttingoxygen stream is activated and delivered through the device 10 via theoxygen passageway 34. The high velocity cutting oxygen stream physicallyremoves molten material of the workpiece by oxidation, thus cutting theworkpiece. If during this operation flashback occurs as a result ofreverse flow and ignition of the explosive mixture of gases, such as dueto an obstruction at the nozzle, the filter 85 advantageously restrictsthe flashback from reaching the upstream fuel passageway 36.

When flashback reaches and is extinguished by the filter 85, solidbyproducts of the flashback, such as carbon, are deposited in the poresand convolute passageways of the filter 85. As a result, the filter 85can eventually become clogged, making it too restrictive to the desiredflow of fuel gas therethrough. In this case, and in accordance with onenon-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, the tip 30 is preferablydiscarded in its entirety and replaced with a new cutting tip.Completely discarding the used tip 30 and replacing it with a new oneprevents malfunctioning that could occur if a user incorrectly installsa new filter 85 or, even worse, removes and does not replace a cloggedfilter. In this regard, the tip 30 and the filter 85 can be generallycharacterized as a “one-piece” consumable item that is completelydiscarded if/when it becomes clogged. Alternatively, the filter 85 canbe readily removable from the tip 30 and is separately replaceable.

Turning now to FIGS. 8A-B, the device 10 may further include anapparatus that prevents the consumable from being used without a filterbeing installed. As shown, the apparatus 140 may include a springelement 142, a disc 144, and a retainer 146, wherein a force from thespring element 142 causes the disc 144 to engage a filter 150. When theapparatus 140 is installed, the filter 150 retained within the tip 152is able to apply a force on and push open the disc 144, thus allowingfluid flow through a passageway 154. When the tip 152 is not installedor the tip 152 is installed without the filter 150, the disc 144 closesagainst the retainer 146 with the spring force from the spring element142, thus allowing little or no fluid flow through the passageway 164.In one embodiment, an overhang portion 160 of the disc 144 is configuredto engage a shoulder 162 of the retainer 146 when the filter 150 is notpresent. As shown, the apparatus 140 is configured to engage with andsurround a lower extension 166 of the tip adapter 168. In someembodiments, the retainer 146 may engage with an outer surface 170 ofthe tip adapter 168.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain approaches, numerous modifications, alterations and changes tothe described approaches are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present disclosure, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limitedto the described approaches, but that it has the full scope defined bythe language of the following claims, and equivalents thereof. While thedisclosure has been described with reference to certain approaches,numerous modifications, alterations and changes to the describedapproaches are possible without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure, as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, it isintended that the present disclosure not be limited to the describedapproaches, but that it has the full scope defined by the language ofthe following claims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A torch assembly, comprising: a torch headincluding a gas passageway formed within a body of the torch head; a tipcoupled to a distal end of the torch head, wherein the tip has aproximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tip including anexit orifice and the proximal end of the tip having a set of openings influid communication with the gas passageway for delivering a gas towardsthe exit orifice; and a filter coupled to the tip at the proximal end,the filter disposed between the set of openings and the gas passageway.2. The torch assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first tipfastener coupling the tip to the torch head.
 3. The torch assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising a tip adaptor coupling the tip to the torchhead.
 4. The torch assembly of claim 3, further comprising an apparatuscoupled to the tip adapter to prevent use without the filter, theapparatus including a spring element, a disc, and a retainer, wherein aforce from the spring element causes the disc to engage the filter. 5.The torch assembly of claim 3, the tip adaptor comprising: a proximalend secured within a bore of the torch head and a distal end secured tothe tip by a second tip fastener; and a plurality of passagewaysextending between the distal end of the tip adaptor and the proximal endof the tip adaptor.
 6. The torch assembly of claim 5, the tip adaptorcomprising a set of threads disposed along an exterior surface forengagement with the second tip fastener.
 7. The torch assembly of claim1, further comprising a cutting oxygen passageway formed within the bodyof the torch head, wherein the cutting oxygen passageway is aligned witha central passageway of the tip, and wherein the gas passageway is influid communication with a set of outer passageways of the tip.
 8. Thetorch assembly of claim 7, further comprising a second filter disposedwithin the cutting oxygen passageway.
 9. The torch assembly of claim 1,the tip further including a flange having a channel for receiving thefilter.
 10. The torch assembly of claim 1, wherein the tip includes ashell surrounding an interior component.
 11. A flashback arrestor for atorch, comprising: a torch head including a gas passageway formed withina body of the torch head; a tip coupled to a distal end of the torchhead, wherein the tip has a proximal end and a distal end, the distalend of the tip including an exit orifice and the proximal end of the tipincluding a set of openings formed through a flange, the set of openingsin fluid communication with the gas passageway for delivering a gastowards the exit orifice; and a filter coupled to the flange anddisposed between the set of openings and the gas passageway.
 12. Theflashback arrestor of claim 11, further comprising a first tip fastenercoupling the tip to the torch head.
 13. The flashback arrestor of claim11, further comprising a tip adaptor disposed within the torch head, thetip adaptor coupling the tip to the torch head.
 14. The flashbackarrestor of claim 13, the tip adaptor comprising: a proximal end securedwithin a bore of the torch head and a distal end secured to the tip by asecond tip fastener; and a plurality of passageways extending betweenthe distal end and the proximal end of the tip adaptor.
 15. Theflashback arrestor of claim 11, further comprising a cutting oxygenpassageway formed within the body of the torch head, wherein the cuttingoxygen passageway is aligned with a central passageway of the tip, andwherein the gas passageway is in fluid communication with a set of outerpassageways of the tip.
 16. The flashback arrestor of claim 15, furthercomprising a filter disposed within the cutting oxygen passageway withinthe body of the torch head.
 17. A device comprising: a torch headincluding a body; a mixed oxy-fuel gas passageway formed through thebody; a tip coupled to a distal end of the torch head, wherein the tiphas a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tip includingan exit orifice and the proximal end of the tip including a set ofopenings formed through a flange, the set of openings in fluidcommunication with the gas passageway for delivering a gas to the exitorifice; and a filter coupled to the flange and disposed between the setof openings and the gas passageway.
 18. The device of claim 17, furthercomprising a tip adaptor disposed within the torch head, the tip adaptorcoupling the tip to the torch head, and the tip adaptor including: aproximal end secured within a bore of the torch head and a distal endsecured to the tip by a second tip fastener; and a plurality ofpassageways extending between the distal end and the proximal end of thetip adaptor.
 19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a cuttingoxygen passageway formed within the body of the torch head, wherein thecutting oxygen passageway is aligned with a central passageway of thetip, and wherein the mixed oxy-fuel gas passageway is in fluidcommunication with a set of outer passageways of the tip.
 20. The deviceof claim 19, wherein the cutting oxygen passageway is aligned with acentral passageway of the tip adaptor, and wherein the mixed oxy-fuelgas passageway is in fluid communication with a set of outer passagewaysof the tip adaptor.